Visit of His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannesian to the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland
At the gracious invitation of His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland, His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannesian of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin visited London and presided over the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, 31 May, at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Kensington.
The visit coincided with the commemoration of the Holy Prophet Elijah in the Armenian Apostolic Church calendar, thereby imparting particular spiritual significance to the day’s celebrations. In his homily, Bishop Vahan reflected upon the prophetic witness of Elijah, emphasising his unwavering fidelity to God, his ascetic spirit, and his life of fervent prayer. Drawing from the example of the prophet, His Grace exhorted the faithful to persevere in prayer, to deepen their love for the Holy Church, and to remain steadfast in Christian witness amidst the challenges of contemporary life, particularly within the experience of the Armenian diaspora.
The Divine Liturgy was attended by numerous faithful of the Armenian community in London, who warmly welcomed the visiting bishop from the Mother See and participated prayerfully in the sacred services.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a reception and presentation were held at Gulbenkian Hall. During the gathering, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan and Bishop Vahan Hovhannesian presented several pastoral, educational, and ecclesial initiatives. Particular attention was given to the Summer Study Programme for Diaspora Youth organised by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, an initiative intended to strengthen the spiritual, theological, and cultural bonds between young Armenians of the diaspora and their historic homeland and Church.
Bishop Vahan further introduced the mission and ongoing activities of the GAIDZ Trust, sharing its vision and educational initiatives, especially in the fields of biblical studies, theological scholarship, and the publication of important manuscripts and academic works dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Armenian Christian heritage.
The presentations were followed by a cordial and fruitful discussion with parishioners and guests, offering an opportunity for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and deeper fellowship within the life of the Church.
His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannesian presently serves as Director of the Karekin I Centre for Theology and Armenological Studies at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where he oversees theological research, academic programmes, and scholarly initiatives in service to the mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
